Millersville University Emergency Communication Case Study

This case study details the emergency communication strategies implemented by Millersville University (MU) in response to various crises, particularly following the Virginia Tech tragedy. The document outlines the challenges faced by MU in ensuring rapid and reliable communication with students, staff, and visitors during emergencies. It describes the selection of Omnilert as the preferred solution, which enables campus administrators to send instant alerts through multiple communication channels. The case study highlights a specific incident on April 1, 2008, when a fire and a threat of violence occurred simultaneously on campus. It documents the effective use of the Omnilert system during this crisis, which led to increased enrollment in the alert system and successful communication of critical information. Additionally, the case study discusses lessons learned from the incident, including the need for a multi-faceted communication strategy and improvements made to enhance emergency preparedness and response.